According to Don Leiper, acting managing director of E.ON UK, smart metering is the way forward in revolutionising the way that people use energy. However, Leiper warns that the benefits will only be reaped in full if the Government makes “bold and brave” decisions now. Leiper argues that the energy industry would have to be simplified if smart metering was to be implemented successfully. Smart meters are gas and electricity meters that feed information directly to power companies and to customers. Leiper, speaking at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, rejected Ofgem’s claims that regional franchises would “effectively stitch up customers” by making them cover the costs of implementing smart metering. “We have an option now if we are brave enough to take it,” said Leiper. “We can roll out smart metering on the complexity we have got, or we could choose to make it a simple environment.” For Leiper, smart metering is likely to revolutionise energy use through the analysis of the data that it would provide. It would also drastically reduce customer complaints about billing, and encourage customers to be more energy efficient. An E.ON survey found that 80% of customers were interested in smart meters because of the potential savings they could provide. The Government is in favour of the meters because of the environmental benefits. The Government’s head of metering and billing at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Eleanor Brooks, said: “We have a vision for smart metering and it will take a few years to come on line. There are a few energy benefits that can be generated in that period.”